Box folding machine



March 6, 1934. $|MMQN$ 1;.949,495

Box FOLPiNG MACHINE Filed July 18, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. Nlaw/.4 K S/MMo/Vs.

1 ATTORNEY-5.

March 1934- P. R. SIMMONS BOX FOLDING MACHINE Filed July 18 1932 3Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

P904 A. J/MMo/VJ.

ATTO'RNEYJ.

P. R. SIMMONS BOX FOLDING MACHINE March 6,1934.

z; Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR. Pfiuz K .S/M/m/Ys.

Z/J 05W M WY ATTORNEYS.

Patented Mar. 6, 1934 UNITED STATES BOX FOLDING MACHINE Paul R. Simmons,Marion, Ind.,' assignor to Indiana Fibre Products Company, Marion, Ind.,

a corporation Application July 18, 1932, Serial No. 623,191

33 Claims.

This invention relates to a folding machine for forming tubularlyarranged flattened box blanks from flat scored pieces.

This application is a continuation in part of 5 a copending applicationfiled June 1, 1931, Serial No. 541,297, entitled Universal continuousfolder for boxes, and a continuation in part of a copending application,filed February 25, 1932, Serial No. 595,086, entitled Box foldingmachine.

The before mentioned inventions and the present invention are alldirected to mechanisms for forming from flat scored sheets flattenedtubularly arranged box blanks with the ends thereof lying insubstantially abutting relation and with the line of abutting relationsubstantially at right angles to the length of the box, so thatsubstantially square or rectangular box arrangement will be obtainedfrom tubular blanks when opened for filling purposes.

Folding machines are notoriously old in the art but have been incapableof commercial use except for relatively low rates of folding, because inrapid folding the infolded ends have a tendency to cock relative to eachother and the main portion of the blank, so that there results a tubularbox which, when opened, is not exactly rectangularly in cross sectionaloutline and is not of the same rectangular outline throughout the box.The variation may be-anywhere from an eighth of an inch or greater andin relatively deep boxes, this variation is progressive and is extremelyobjectionable and may render the box unsatisfactory for the use to whichit is intended because of the gap that results therefrom between theadjacent box forming portions weakens the box so that the sealing tapeemployed is the only sustaining element and must serve not only as ameans for securing the box parts together, but

also must serve as a part of the box wall. This naturally means the boxis no stronger than the tape and for protection purposes, this tape haslittle or no protective action.

Also, for the packaging of very small articles, a substantially squarebox must be provided. Boxes which are not substantially square are knownas imperfect boxes. These imperfect boxes have generally been caused byreason of the blank traveling while the ends are being infolded, and thegreater the speed of travel of the blank the greater is this tendency tovary from the exact squaring. In other words, the greater the capacityof the machine or the faster the rate of folding, the greater is-the 5tendency to deviate from the squared box. Of

00 chines of this character, it is practically impossible to stop thetravel of the blank to permit folding the ends while the blank isstationary.

The present invention, like that disclosed in the before mentionedapplications, provides a machine wherein the several parts cooperate insubstantially fool-proof manner. In common with the previousdisclosures, the present invention is so arranged that the parts may bequickly adjusted for operation upon various. sizes of sheets for formingthe box blanks of different sizes.

The chief object of the invention, therefore, is to provide a machinewhich will not only eliminate so-called manual folding of box formingsheets or blanks, but which will also have a capacita or rate ofproduction far in excess of manual operation and of previous machines,as well as that illustrated and described in the copending applications,and which will form absolutely square or transverse joints and folds inthe box so that the blanks as discharged in folded and flattenedrelation from this machine can be directly discharged to an automatictaping machine of which there'are several commercial forms now on themarket, which taping machine automatically applies sealing tape to thesubstantially abutting edges of the infolded ends of the blank andthereby secures them in the desired relation and forms the tubular blankthat can be later set up as a box at the point where the box is to beused. These blanks are shipped flat to the customer and usually inbundles or bales which permit the customer to store them in a minimumamount of space, and this form of shipment also reduces thetransportation costs because a greater number of box blanks can beplaced in the same transportation space.

Thechief feature of the invention consists in the formation of a machinewhich accomplishes all of the foregoing purposes and the object of thisinvention.

Other features of the invention will appear more fully from the detaileddescription hereinafter set forth.

The full nature of the invention will be understood from theaccompanying drawings and the following description and claims:--

In the drawings, Fig. l is a perspective view of a machine embodying theinvention, certain of the power mechanism being omitted for the same isillustrated and described in the first co-pending application to whichreference is herein made.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the machine and is taken inthe plane of line 2-2 of Fig. 1 and in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view of a portion of the machine and istaken substantially the plane of line 33 of Fig. l and in the directionof the arrows.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged top plan view of the blank associated with one ofthe creasing bars and substantially at the point wherein the end of theblank is beginning to be infolded.

Fig. 5 is a similar view of the same parts showing the operation of thecreasing bar.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged perspective of the discharge end of a foldingmachine including a modified form of the invention.

Fig. '7 is an enlarged vertical section through the first wheel oraligning structure shown in Fig. 6 and shows the positive straightenersin detail.

In the drawings 11 indicatesplatform portions suitably mounted upon anyconventional frame work. The platform and the platform portions lieflush with the angle guide members 12. Ex tending from one end of themachine to the other is an endless conveyor construction shown herein ascomprising four parallel chains 13, each of which rides over sprocketgears at opposite ends of the machine. Power is applied to one of theshafts associated with the sprockets at one end of the machine and saidshaft is indicated by the numeral 17, the power being applied as at 18.The sprockets at the discharge end of the machine are indicated by thenumeral 16. The respective chains are connected by the transverselypositioned bars 19. Each bar is secured in predetermined and equidistantand spaced relation relative to the others. Each bar includes aprojecting free end which is down-=turned at 20 and which underlies theangle member 12. Said bar is therebey prevented from elevating above theplane of the platform or the predeter mined operating plane of thedevice. Suitab'le intermediate platform portions, indicated at 21, arealso provided and lie in the operating plane. They are spaced from eachother and from the other platform portions forming channels oriongitudinal slots in the plane of which are mounted the chains.

An overhead cross member 22 is suitably supported as at 23 andadjustably carried thereby are vertically positioned guide and stopmembers 24. The cross member is squared so that the cross members 241are always maintained vertically or approximately so, no matter in whatadjusted position they may be. These members 24 may be adjustedlongitudinally along cross member 22 and, therefore, towards and awayfrom each other, depending upon the width of the sheets of corrugatedpaper board stock or like material which has been previously cut and;scored and are positioned so that one edge of all of the sheets bearsagainst the members 24 and all sheets are aligned thereby.

The thickness of each sheet determines the vertical adjustment of themembers 24 with re spect to its support 2411 upon the cross member 22.Each vertical support 24 terminates above,

the plane of operation and the opening therebeneath is just sufiicientto permit a single sheet 9, which, as before stated, has been scored at10 and slotted at 8, to pass beneath the lower ends of the verticalsupports 24.

The bar members 19 are also of such thickness that they too will justpass beneath the lower' edge of each member 24, whereby single sheetfeeding is obtained. Preferably, the space between the bars 19 on thechains 13 is just suflicient to accommodate the largest width of blankor sheet to be operated upon. The thickness of the bar 19 is alsolimited in amount, being no greater than the minimum thickness of thestock or sheet to be handled. Thicker sheets, of course, will be forminga wide bearing surface.

readily handled by these same bars, even though the bar is of lessthickneess than the sheet han dled thereby.

To insure predetermined positioning of the sheet upon the conveyingmechanism so that the subsequent functions of the folding mechanisms maybe properly coordinated for obtaining a square folded box, there ispositioned a longitudinal side aligning member 25 which is adjustablymounted on the support 22 as at 28.

Suitably supported by the member 22 and extending downwardly therefrom,are the guide and bearing members having the depending portions 27 andthe longitudinal downwardly inclined although approximately horizontallypositioned bearing portions 28.

Herein three of said members are illustrated and the same are positionedin spaced relation relative to the infolding mechanisms subsequent-=. lyto be described. The two outer portions 28, are adjusted in positionupon the crom member 22 so that they lie adjacent the two end lon=gitudinal scorings 10 but within the same, or otherwise expressed, theirouter longitudinal edges are spaced a less distance apart than the spacebetween the two longitudinal end scorings 10.

Intermediate member 28, or its equivalent, is extended beyond the endsof the other or two outer members 28; as indicated at 14, and as shownclearly in Fig. 1, said intermediate member being enlarged laterally andoppositely for The position of this intermediate member 28 is determinedby the normal position of the gap between the two substantially abuttingends of the blank when infolded. The blank is herein illustrated asrectangularly outlined and will form a box with two sides wider than thetwo other sides. That accounts for the fact that herein the intermediatemember 28 is positioned closer to one of the outer members 28 than theother outer member 28.

As the carrier bar 19 moves from beneath the members 24, it carries withit the bottom sheet 9 and said sheet is carried forwardly by theconveyor mechanism and beneath the pressing members 28. To insurepositive forward move- I ment of the sheet that has passed beneathmambers 24, each of the carrier bars is provided with a pivot formingsupport 101 upon which is pivotally supported an arm 102 terminating ina large radius guide and aligning plate 103. Each carrier bar 19supports at least one of these structures and preferably one in each ofthe intermediate passages or slots 100.

Gravity normally retains the arms and plates in depending relation whenthe bar is in the upper run. To positively insure non-interference ofthe members 24 and 2'7 and maintain longitudinal alignment therewithalthough transverse members 27 are never so aligned, and moreparticularly to prevent engagement by the plates 103 with theapproaching edge of more than the lowest sheet in the stack, a spring104 retains each guide plate retracted. To obtain full aligning benefitfrom the plates and each bar 19, the latter is notched as at 105 tonestingly receive the plate 103. The rear edge of the blank, therefore,simultaneously bears against the forward edge of the bar 19 and all ofthe aligned forward faces of the plates 103 carried thereby.

In alignment with the slots 100 and intermediate the ends of themachine, are support guides that tilt the aforesaid plate mechanismupward in opposition to spring 104 to insure positive forward movementof the sheet. Hereinsee Fig. 2--such a support includes the cam portion106 and the supporting portion 107. At this particular station, thelower edge of the plate 103 engages the inclined portion 106 and isforced upwardly thereby in opposition to the spring 104 and thusprojects upwardly from the plane of operation and insures positiveforward movement of the sheet. The plates 103 are held elevated by theportions 107.

At a predetermined portion of the travel, however, plate 107 terminatesand positioned slightly therebeneath is a second supporting plate 108.This support 108 holds the plate 103 in elevated position so that itprojects above the plane of operation just that amount necessary toinsure the forward movement of the infolded edge with the body portionof the blank.

While in the before mentioned applications the cam plates 103 are shownwith large radius curvature and curved in the present form of theinvention, these cam plates have a straight portion and thus have aradius of curvature of infinity. The purpose of this is that the forwardedge of the bars and the upwardly projecting portion of the cam platewhen the cam plate is resting on the support 108, will be insubstantially the same vertical plane. Of course, the members 106107 andthe member 108 are preferably arranged for longitudinal adjustment sothat the time cycle may be varied whenever required.

Suitably supported on the frame work of the -machine, as at 29, is atransversely positioned member 31 and the member 31 is slidablysupported in an elongated bearing 30. A pair of said members isoppositely disposed and adjustably mounted in the bearings at oppositesides of thev machine. Each member 31 is suitably secured to the outsideof a stationary infolding guide member 32. Each guide member 32 isadjustably supported as at 33 upon the transverse member 34 carried bythe main frame through the brackets 35 at the discharge end of themachine.

The elongated members 28 extend parallel to the members 32 and liebetween the same. The main body of the sheets is held down by means ofthe members 28 and passes between the guide and folding members 32, asshown clearly in Fig. 1. The shape of the guide and folding member 32for the infolding of the elevated ends of the sheet is likewise shown insaid figure and is substantially the same as that illustrated in thebefore mentioned applications.

Positioned between the sheet discharge station and the ends of themembers 32, is an adjustable folding mechanism that is adapted to engagethe ends of the blank and elevate the same. These mechanisms cooperatewith the outside members 29 which hold down the body of the sheet.

At each side and in one of the slots 100, there is movable a cam member36 which has the conformation shown in Fig. 1 which and is arranged tobe rotated. In its rotation and when advancing upwardly, the cam memberengages the end of the sheet when the middle of the end is positioneddirectly thereover so that the end is folded along the outsidelongitudinal scoring 10, and in substantially transverse relation to thetop and bottom.

The cam and infolding member 36 includes a hub 37 and the same ismounted upon a shaft 48 and is rotatable thereby. Depending from eachhub structure is an arm 39 and associated therewith is a member 42 thatterminates in the hand wheel 45. The hand wheel 45, serves to move thehub structure 37 longitudinally of the rotating shaft 48. One form ofsuch mechanism is shown in Fig. 2 of the second mentioned application.

Depending from the support 34 and longitudinally adjustable thereon, isa bracket 50. Bracket adjustably supports an arm 51 which terminates ina cam faced shoe or presser member 52 which is curved upwardly andforwardly-see Figs. 3 and 4 of the second mentioned application, as wellas Fig. l of the present application. Extending rearwardly from the shoeis a pressing extension 53. The mechanism thus diagrammaticallyillustrated in Fig. 1 is substantially that illustrated and described indetail in the second mentioned co-pending application.

As shown clearly in Figs. 1, 4 and 5, each of the outer members 28 isprovided with an outwardly directed inclined edge and an offset edge 61parallel to the edge of the main portion of member 28. Members 28, inthis form of the invention, do not lie extremely close to the two outerlongitudinal scorings 10. The purpose of the aforesaid offsetting is asclearly illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5.

As the sheet 9 advances, the rotating earns 36 elevate the ends of thesheet and retain the same elevated until the two stationary infoldingguides 32 engage the sheet and hold the ends elevated. Before the endsare infolded and by reason of the fact that the sheets are travelling ata rapid rate in infolding from the perpendicular to the horizontal,undue overlapping relation would result in the biasing of the foldinstead of forming a fold that is substantially transverse to the topand bottom of the box. Any tendency of the portion 7 formed by theslotting 8 in the blank to fold in ahead of time and thus result in abias fold at the scoring 10, is here corrected by the portion 7 engagingthe cam portion 60 and being forced outwardly into alignment with thescoring 10, as shown clearly in Fig. 5, and the same is held inalignment by the face 61. In other words, the infolded ends of the boxare held true and square during the last infolding or overlappingoperation.

As before mentioned, the two outside members 28 terminate short of theend of the machine while the member 14 extends beyond such termination.Mounted upon the supports 65 between the supports 35 and 29, is a shaft66 and said shaft mounts a sprocket 67 driven by chain 68, in turndriven by a sprocket pinion 69 carried by shaft 17. Mounted on the shaft66 is a wheel structure including a rotating blade 77 and positioned ateach side thereof is an inwardly tapered wheel 78 having the peripheralor blank engaging portion 79. The purpose of this relieving of the wheelstructure is that the wheel plate 77 will nest between the adjacent andsubstantially abutting edges of the infolded ends and will square theinfolded ends with reference to the direction of travel and, therefore,with reference to the completed box and the relieving will prevent therough edges, if any, from engaging the rolling and pressing surface ofthis dividing wheel and thus there will be nothing to interfere with ordrag upon the forward movement and longitudinal movement of the infoldedends.

Before the infolded, collapsed or overlapped blank is discharged frombeneath this wheel structure, the forward edge of the same is engaged bythe pressing member or shoe before mentioned. If and when desired, theremay be mounted on the shaft 66 additional contact wheels such asindicated at 80 and these preferably have a rubber or similar periphery81 and said wheels are rotatable with the wheel structure having thedivision plate 7'7. Division plate 7'7, it will be apparent, also servesas an alignmentmember and in this form of the invention replaces theT-shaped plate of the first mentioned application.

' It will be apparent that the structure disclosed herein is-a markedsimplification over the inventions shown in the co-pending applicationsand that all parts are either rotating or stationary, except thepressing member or shoe. For

' the exact details of construction and operation of the pressing memberand cam 36 and its adjustment, reference is had to the secondmentionedapplication copending herewith.

In Fig. 6 is illustrated a modified form of the folding machineembodying the invention andv particularly the mechanisms near thedischarge end thereof and associated with the final folding operations.In said figure, numerals of the two hundred series, wherever possible,are employed.

The stationary infolding members 232 are supported at the discharge endat 233 upon cross member 234. These infolding members are adjustabletoward and away from each by means not shown. Mounted upon shaft 266,driven as illustrated in the upper central portion of Fig.

'1, see gears 67 and 69 and chain 68, is the multiple wheel structurehaving the central fin or blade 2'77 and the two conical portions 278.Each conical portion terminates in a grooved portion 420 that receives ablank engaging and transporting belt 281 mounted on pulley 280.Adjustability is secured as at 443.

Pulleys 280 are mounted on shaft 444 carried in depending arms 440,portion 441 thereof also being adjustably mounted upon cross member 234as at 442.

Another shaft 400 parallel to shaft 266 adjustably supports a bladedwheel or disc 405, see adjustment 446. Shaft 400 is slidably androtatably supported in bearings 401 and mounts sprocket gear 402 drivenby chain 404 from sprocket gear 403 on shaft 266.

Pivotally supported on the wheel 405 at 4'70 is a blade or straightener471 having the recessed or notched portion 4'72 for clearing the member461 that overlaps the wheel. A stop 4'73 limits the tiltable movement ofthe straightener 4'71 under the influence of its spring 474. In therotation ofthe wheel 405, the straightener blade 471 engages theinfolded box blank end, as shown in Fig. '7, and forces it forwardly inthe direction of travel of the blank with quite an appreciable forcethat increases as the blade lags behind the pin 4'73 in the rotation ofthe wheel until the straightener 4'71 rises above the infolded end dueto wheel rotation.

Secured as at 454 to central member 228 laterally enlarged at 214 is amember 450 having the upturned and reversely bent approach portion 451and the slot 452. The wheel 405 rides in said slot. The box blank ridesbeneath member 228, and the infolded ends ride above the same. Member450-451 lies beneath the forwardly moving infolded ends of the blank.Said member prevents the ends from passing beneath the edge of wheel 405so that the latter can serve as an aligner for squaring the infoldedends. It secures the same result as the T-shaped member disclosed in thecopending application but since the wheel rotates, the friction dragupon and danger of damaging the blank is eliminated.

Positioned in, the substantially triangular gap between the adjacentedge of wheel blades 405 and 277 is a guide member or floating partition460, preferably of fibre, and the same conforms to the curvature 'ofsaid wheels. A pair of metal side plates 461 secured together and to thepartition 460 at 462 straddle the blades 405 and 277 and prevent lateralmovement of the floating guide or partition 460. Said partitionmaintains the squared relationship between the ends. Since the forwardwheel 405 rotates'upwardly at the forward edge of the partition 460 andthe rear blade 2'77 rotates rearwardly at the rearward edge of thepartition, see the arrows in Fig. 6, the forward edge or point of thepartition tends to ride higher over the body of the blank and does nottend to gouge into the same.

The invention claimed is:

1. In a folding machine for forming fiat collapsed box blanks from flatand scored sheets and arranged in tubular relation, the combination of aplurality of connected but spaced sheet conveying members, each forconveying a single sheet through the machine, means carried by eachmember normally arranged in retracted position and movable into exposedposition behind the sheet conveyed by said member and arranged for anintermediate exposed position at a predetermined position andfor apredetermined portion of sheet travel, means arranged to elevate thescore-connected sheet end, infolding mechanism arranged for turninginwardly and downwardly the elevated end of the box blank to lieadjacent the body of the blank, and means arranged to engage thelongitudinal free edge of the inturned free end and including a bearingportion simultanoously engaging the 'free end.

2. In a folding machine for forming fiat collapsed box blanks from flatand scored sheets and arranged in tubular relation, the combination of aplurality of connected but spaced sheet conveying members, each forconveying a single sheet through the machine, means carried by eachmember normally arranged in retracted position and movable into exposedposition behind the sheet conveyed by said member and arranged for anintermediate exposed position at a predetermined position and for apredetermined portion of sheet travel, means arranged to elevate thescore-connected sheet end, infolding mechanism arranged for turninginwardly'and downwardly the elevated end of the box blank to lieadjacent the body of the blank, means arranged to engage thelongitudinal free edge'of the inturned free end and including a bearingportion simultane-' ously engaging the free end, and pressing mechanismarranged to engage the body overlapping end.

3. In a folding machine for forming fiat. collapsed box blanks from fiatand scored sheets and arranged in tubular relation, the combination of aplurality of connected but spaced sheet conveying members'each forconveying a single sheet through the machine, means carried by eachmember normally arranged in retracted position and movable into exposedposition behind the sheet conveyed by said member and arranged for anintermediate exposed position at a predetermined positionv and for apredetermined portion of sheet travel, means arranged to elevate thescore-connected sheet end. Infolding mechanism arranged for turninginwardly and downwardly the elevated end of the box blank to lieadjacent the body of the blank, means arranged to engage thelongitudinal free -edge of the inturnedfree end and including a bearing'portion simultaneously engaging the free end, and a bar extendinglongitudinally of the direction of sheet travel and positionedimmediately above the box blank and having a laterally ofiset portion,the outer longitudinal edge thereof substantially conforming to the lineof folding between the end and the blank body, said offset portionengaging the elevated downwardly moving and inturning free end forlongitudinally aligning said free end for substantially transversefolding of the free end. I

4. In a folding machine for forming fiat col.- lapsed box blanks fromflat and scored sheets and arranged in tubular relation, the combinationof a plurality of connected but spaced sheet conveying members, each forconveying a single sheet through the machine, means carried by eachmember normally arranged in retracted position and movable into exposedposition behind the sheet conveyed by said member and arranged for anintermediate exposed position at a predetermined position and for apredetermined portion of sheet travel, means arranged to elevate thescore-connected sheet end, infolding mechanism arranged for turninginwardly and downwardly the elevated end of the box blank to lieadjacent the'body of the blank, means arranged to engage thelongitudinal free edge of the intumed free end and including a bearingportion simultaneously engaging the free end, a'bar extendinglongitudinally of the direction of sheet travel and positionedimmediately above the box blank and having a laterally ofiset portion,the outer longitudinal edge thereof substantially conforming to the lineof folding between the end and the blank body, said offset portionengaging the elevated downwardly moving and inturning free end forlongitudinally aligning said free end for substantially transversefolding of the free end, and pressing mechanism arranged to engage theoverlapping end.

5. In a folding machine for forming fiat collapsed box blanks from flatand scored sheets and arranged in tubular relation, the combination of aplurality of connected but spaced sheet conveying members, each forconveying a single sheet through the machine, means carried by eachmember normally arranged in retracted position and movable into exposedposition behind the sheet conveyed by said member and arranged for anintermediate exposed position at a predetermined position and for apredetermined portion of sheet travel, spaced means arranged to elevatethe score-connected sheet ends, infoldfng mechanism arranged for turninginwardly towards each other and downwardly the elevated ends of the boxblank to lie adjacent the body of the blank and with their adjacentlongitudinal free edges substantially abutting, and

' means arranged to engage the longitudinal free edges of the free endsfor predetermined alignment and spacing thereof;

6. In a folding machine for forming fiat collapsed box blanks from fiatand scored sheets and arranged in tubular relation, the combination of aplurality of connected but spaced sheet conveying members, each forconveying a single sheet through the machine, means carried by eachmember normally arranged in retracted position and movable into exposedposition behind the sheet conveyed by said member and arranged terminedposition and for a predetermined portion of sheet travel, spaced meansarranged to elevate the score-connected sheet ends, infolding mechanismarranged for turning inwardly towards each other and downwardly theelevated ends of the box blank to lie adjacent the body of the blank andwith their adjacent longitudinal free edges substantially abutting, andmeans arranged to engage the longitudinal free edges of the free endsfor predetermined alignment and spacing thereof, and including .spacedbearing portions each for engaging the adjacent free end adjacent thelongitudinal edge.

7. In a folding machine for forming 'flat col-v lapsed box blanks fromflat and scored sheets and arranged in tubular relation, the combinationof a plurality of connected but spaced sheet conveying members, each forconveying a single sheet through the machine, means carried by eachmember normally arranged in retracted position and movable into exposedposition behind the sheet conveyed by said member and arranged for anintermediate exposed position at a predetermined position and for apredetermined portion of sheet travel, spaced means arranged to elevatethe score-connected sheet ends, infolding mechanism arranged for turninginwardly towards each other and downwardly the elevated ends of the boxblank to lie adjacent the body of the blank and with their adjacentlongitudinal free edges substantially abutting, means arranged to engagethe longitudinal free edges of the free ends for predetermined,alignment and spacing thereof, and pressing mechanism arranged to engagethe body overlapping end.

8. In a folding machine for forming flat collapsed box blanks from flatand scored sheets and arranged in tubular relation, the combination of aplurality of connected but spaced sheet conveying members, each forconveying a single sheet through the machine, means carried by eachmember normally arranged in retracted position and movable into exposedposition behind the sheet conveyed by said member and arranged for anintermediate exposed position at a predetermined position and for apredetermined portion of sheet travel, spaced means arranged to elevatethe score-connected sheet ends, infoldmg mechanismarranged for turninginwardly towards each other and downwardly the elevated ends of the boxblank to lie adjacent the body of the blank and with their adjacentlongitudinal free edges substantially abutting, means arranged to engagethe longitudinal free edges of the free ends for predetermined alignmentand spacing thereof, and including spaced bearing portions each forengaging the adjacent free end adjacent the longitudinal edge, andpressing mechanism arranged to engage the body overlapping end.

9. In a folding machine for forming flat collapsed box blanks from flatand scored sheets and arranged in tubular relation, thecombination of aplurality of connected but spaced sheet con veying members, each forconveying a single sheet through the machine, means carried by eachmember normally arranged in retracted position and movable into exposedposition behind the sheet conveyed by said member and arranged for anintermediate exposed position at a predetermined position and for apredetermined portion of sheet travel, spaced means arranged to elevatethe score-connected sheet ends, infolding mechanism arranged for turninginwardly towards each other for an intermediate exposed position at apredeand downwardly the elevated ends of the box 150 blank to lieadjacent the body of the blank and with their adjacent longitudinal freeedges substantially abutting, means arranged to engage the longitudinalfree edges of the free ends for predetermined alignment and spacingthereof. and spaced bars extending longitudinally of the direction ofsheet travel and each positioned im mediately above the box blank andincluding an outwardly odset portion, the longitudinal edge thereofsubstantially conforming to the line or folding between the adjacent endand the blank body, said ofiset portions engaging the elevateddownwardly moving and inturning free ends at the scoring forlongitudinally aligning said free ends for substantially transversepositioning oi the free ends.

is. In a folding machine for forming fiat collapsed box blanks from flatand scored sheets and arranged in tubular relation, the combination or aplurality of connected but spaced sheet conveying members, each forconveying a single sheet through the machine, means carried by eachmember normally arranged in retracted position and movable into exposedposition behind the sheet conveyed by said member and arranged for anintermediate exposed position at a predetermined position and for apredetermined portion of sheet travel, spaced means arranged to elevatethe score-connected sheet ends, iniolding mechanism arranged f orturning inwardly towards each other and downwardly the elevated ends ofthe box blank to lie adjacent the body of the blank and with theiradjacent longitudinal free edges substantially abutting, means arrangedto engage the longitudinal free edges oi the free ends for predeterminedalignment and spacing thereof, and including spaced bearing portionseach for engaging the adjacent free end adjacent the longitudinal edge,and spaced bars extending longitudinally oi the direction of sheettravel and each positioned irmnediately above the box blank andincluding an outwardly offset portion, the longitudinal edge thereofsubstantially conforming to the line of folding between the adjacent endand the blank body, said ofiset portions em gaging the elevateddownwardly moving and inturning free ends at the scoring forlongitudinally aligning said free ends for substantially transversepositioning of the free ends.

11. In a folding machine for forming flat collapsed box blanks from fiatand scored sheets and arranged in tubular relation, the combination of aplurality of connected but spaced sheet conveying members, each forconveying a single sheet through the machine, means carried by eachmember normally arranged in retracted position and movableinto exposedposition behind the sheet conveyed by said member and arranged for anintermediate exposed position at a predetermined position and for apredetermined portion of sheet travel, spaced means arranged to elevatethe score-connected sheet ends, infold ing mechanism arranged forturning inwardly towards each other and downwardly the elevated ends ofthe box blank to lie adjacent the body of the blank and with theiradjacent longitudinal free edges substantially abutting, means arrangedto engage the longitudinal free edges of the free ends for predeterminedalignment and spacing thereof, spaced bars extending longitudinally ofthe direction of sheet travel and each positioned immediately above thebox blank and including an outwardly ofiset portion, the longitudinaledge thereof substantially conforming to the line of folding between theadjacent end and the blank body, said offset portions engaging theelevated downwardly moving and inturning free ends at the scoring forlongitudinally aligning said free ends for substantially transversepositioning of the free ends, and pressing mechanism-erred to engagesimultaneously the body overlapping ends.

' 12. in a folding hine for fog fiat coilapsed box blanks from fiat andscored sheets and arranged in tubular relation, the combination ofaplurality of connected but spaced sheet convey ing members, each forconveying a single sheet through the machine, means carried by eachmember normally arranged in retracted position and movable into exposedposition behind the sheet conveyed by said member and arranged for anintermediate exposed position at a predetermined position and for apredetermined portion of sheet travel, spaced means arranged to elevatethe score-connected sheet ends, infolding mechanism arranged for turninginwardly towards each other and downwardly the elevated ends of the boxblank to lie adjacent the body of the blank and with their adjacentlongitudinal free edges substantially abutting, means arranged to engagethe longitudinal iree edges of the free ends for predetermined alignmentand spacing thereof and including spaced bearing portions each forerrgaging the adjacent free ends adjacent the lon= gitudinal edge,spaced bars extending longitudinally oi the direction of sheet traveland each positioned immediately above the box blank and including anoutwardly ofiset portion, the longi= tudinal edge thereoi substantiallyconforming to the line of folding between the adjacent end and the blankbody, saidoiiset portions engaging the elevated downwardly moving andinturning free ends at the scoring for longitudinally aligning said freeends for substantially transverse positioning of the free ends, andpressing mechanism arranged to engage simultaneously the bodyoverlapping ends.

13. In a folding machine for forming flat collapsed box blanks from flatand scored sheets and arranged in tubular relation, the combination of aplurality of connected but spaced sheet con= rue veying members, eachfor conveying a single sheet through the machine, means arranged toelevate the score-connected sheet end, infolding mochanism arranged forturning inwardly and downwardly the elevated end oi the box blank to lieadjacent the body of the blank, means arranged to engage thelongitudinal free edge of the iniurned free end and including a bearingportion simultaneously engaging the free end, and pressing mechanismarranged to engage the body overlappin end.

M. In a folding machine for forming flat col= lapsed box blanks fromfiat and scored sheets and arranged in tubular relation, the combinationof a plurality of connected but spaced sheet conveying members, each forconveying a single sheet through the machine, means arranged to elevatethe score-connected sheet end; infolding mechanism arranged for turninginwardly and downwardly the elevated end of the box blank to lieadjacent the body of the blank, means arranged to engage thelongitudinal free edge of the inturned free end and including a bearingportion simultaneously engaging the free end, and a bar extendinglongitudinally of the direction of sheet travel and positionedimmediately above the box blank and having a laterally ofiset portion,the outer longitudinal edge thereof substantially conforming to the lineof folding between the end and the blank body, said ofiset portionengaging the elevated downwardly moving and inturning free end forlongitudinally aligning said free end for substantially transversefolding of the free end,

15. In a folding machine for forming flat collapsed box blanks from flatand scored sheets and arranged in tubular relation, the combination of aplurality of connected but spaced sheet conveying members, each forconveying a single sheet through the machine, means arranged to elevatethe score-connected sheet end, infolding mechanism arranged for turninginwardly and downwardly the elevated end of the box blank to lieadjacent the body of the blank, means arranged to engage-thelongitudinal free edge of the inturned free end and including a bearingportion simultaneously engaging the free end, a bar extendinglongitudinally of the direction of sheet travel and positionedimmediately above the box blank and having a laterally offset portion,'

the outer longitudinal edge thereof substantially conforming to the lineof folding between the end and the blank body, said offset portionengaging the elevated downwardly moving and in urning free end forlongitudinally aligning said free end for substantially transversefolding of the free end, and pressing mechanism arranged to engage theoverlapping end.

16. In a folding machine for forming flat. collapsed box blanks fromflat and scored sheets and arranged in tubular relation, the combinationof a plurality of connec'ed but spaced sheet conveying members, each forconveying a single sheet through the machine, spaced means arranged toelevate the score-connected sheet ends, infolding mechanism arranged forturning inwardly towards each other and downwardly the elevated ends ofthe box blanks to lie adjacentl he body of the blank and with theiradjacent longitudinal free edges substantially abutting, and meansarranged to engage the longitudinal free edges of the free ends forpredetermined alignment and spacing thereof.

, 17. In a folding machine for forming flat collapsed box blanks fromfiat and scored sheets and arranged in tubular relation, the combinationof a plurality of connected but spaced sheet conveyingmembers, each forconveying a single sheet through the machine, spaced means arranged toelevate thescore-connected sheets ends, infolding mechanism arranged forturning inwardly towards each other and downwardly the elevated ends ofthe box blank to lie adjacent the body of the blank and with theiradjacent longitudinal free edges substantially abutting, and

means arranged to engage the longitudinal free,

edges of the free ends for predetermined alignment and spacing thereof,and including spaced bearing portions each for engaging the adjacentfree end adjacent the longitudinal edge.

18. In a folding machine for forming fiat collapsed box blanks from flatand scored sheets and arranged in tubular relation, the combination of aplurality of connected but spaced sheet conveying members, each forconveying a single sheet through the machine, spaced means arranged toelevate the score-connec'ed sheet ends, infolding mechanism arranged forturning inwardly to- .wards each other and downwardly the elevated endsof the box blank to lie adjacent the body of the blank and with theiradjacent longitudinal free edges substan'ially abutting, means arrangedto engage the longitudinal free edges of the free ends for predeterminedalignment and spacing thereof, and pressing mechanism arranged to engagethe body overlapping end.

19. In a folding machine for forming flat collapsed box blanks from fiatand scored sheets and arranged in tubular relation, the combination of aplurality of connected but spaced sheet conveying members, each for.conveying a single sheet through the machine, spaced means arranged toelevate the score-connected sheet ends, infolding mechanism arranged forturning inwardly towards each other and downwardly the elevated ends ofthe box blank to lie adjacent the body of the blank and with theiradjacent longitudinal free edges substantially abutting, means arrangedto engage the longitudinal free edges of the free ends for predeterminedalignment and spacing thereof, and "including spaced bearing portionseach for engaging the adjacent free end adjacent the longitudinal edge,and pressing mechanism arranged to engage the body overlapping end.

20. In a folding machine for forming flat collapsed bo'x blanks fromfiat and scored sheets and arranged in tubular relation, the combinationof a plurality of connected but spaced sheet conveying members, each forconveying a single sheet through the machine, spaced means arranged toelevate the score-connected sheet ends, infolding mechanism arranged forturning inwardly towards each other and downwardly the elevated ends ofthe box blank to lie adjacent the body of the blank and with theiradjacent longitudinal free edges substantially abutting, means arrangedto engage the longitudinal free edges of the free ends for predeterminedalignment and spacing thereof, and spaced bars extending longitudinallyof the direction of sheet travel and each positioned immediately abovethe box blank and including an outwardly-offset portion, thelongitudinal edge thereof substantially conforming to the line offolding between the adjacent end and the blank body, said offsetportions engaging the elevated downwardly 'moving and inturning freeends at the scoring for longitudinally aligning said free ends forsubstantially transverse positioning of the free ends.

21. In a folding machine for forming flat collapsed box blanks from fiatand scored sheets and arranged in tubular relation, the combination of aplurality 02 connected but spaced sheet conveying members, each forconveying a single sheet through the machine, spaced means arranged toelevate the score-connected sheet ends, infolding mechanism arranged forturning inwardly towards each other and downwardly the elevated ends ofthe box blank to lie adjacent the body of the blank and with theiradjacent longitudinal free edges substantially abutting, means arrangedto engage the longitudinal free edges of the free ends for predeterminedalignment and spacing thereof, and including spaced bearing portionseach for engaging the adjacent free end adjacent the longitudinal edge,and spaced bars extending longitudinally of the direction of sheettravel and each positioned immediately above the box blank and includingan outwardly offset portion, the longitudinal edge thereof substantiallyconforming to the line of folding between the adjacent end and the blankbody, said offset portions engaging the elevated downwardly moving andinturning free ends at the scoring for longitudinally aligning said freeends for substantially transverse positioning of the free ends.

22. In a' folding machine for forming fiat collapsed box blanks fromflat and scored sheets and arranged in tubular relation, the combinationof a plurality of connected but spaced sheet conveying members, each forconveying a single sheet through the machine, spaced means arranged toelevate the score-connected sheet ends, infolding mechanism arranged forturning inwardly towards each other and downwardly the elevated ends ofthe box blank to lie adjacent the body of the blank and with theiradjacent longitudinal 10 free edges substantially abutting, meansarranged to engage the longitudinal free edges of'the free ends forpredetermined alignment and spacing thereof, spaced bars extendinglongitudinally of the direction of sheet travel and each positionedimmediately above the box blank and including an outwardly oiisetportion, the longitudinal edge thereof substantially conforming to theline of folding between the adjacent end and the blank body, said offsetportions engaging the elevated downwardly moving and inturning free endsat the scoring for longitudinally aligning said free ends forsubstantially transverse positioning of the free ends, and pressingmechanism arranged to engage simultaneously the body overlapping ends.

23. In a folding machine for forming flat collapsed box blanks from flatand scored sheets and arranged in tubular relation, the combination oi aplurality of connected but spaced sheet convey- 39 ing members, each forconveying a single sheet through the machine, spaced means arranged toelevate the score-connected sheet ends, iniolding mechanism arranged forturning inwardly towards each other and downwardly the elevated ends ofthe box blank to lie adjacent the body of the blank and with theiradjacent longitudinal free edges substantially abutting, means arrangedto engage the longitudinal free edges of the tree ends for predeterminedalignment and spacing 40 thereof and including spaced bearing portionseach for engaging the adjacent free ends adjacent the longitudinal edge,spaced bars extending longitudinally of the direction of sheet traveland each positioned immediately above the box blank and including anoutwardly ofiset portion, the

longitudinal edge thereof substantially conforming to the line offolding between the adjacent end and the blank body, said offsetportions engaging the elevated downwardly moving and in- 59 turning freeends at the scoring for longitudinally aligning said free ends forsubstantially true transverse positioning of the free ends, and pressingmechanism arranged to engage simultaneously the body overlapping ends.

2%. In a folding machine for forming fiat collapsed box blanks from flatand scored sheets, the combination of a plurality of connected butspaced sheet conveying members each for conveying a single sheet throughthe machine, in-

60 folding mechanism arranged for turning upwardly and then inwardlytoward each other and then 1 downwardly the ends of the box blank to lieadjacent the body of the blank with their longitudinal free edgessubstantially abutting, means @5 overlying the box blank and positionedbeneath the infolded ends, comprising an approach abutment and a guard,a rotatable wheel in juxta position to said guard, the longitudinaledges of the infolded ends being arranged to pass upon oppoiiil' sitesides of the wheel in its rotation and in the movement of the blank, andmeans for maintaining the spacing between the longitudinal edges of theinfolded ends in the continued travel of the blank.

25. In a folding machine for forming fiat col- LQQQAQd lapsed box blanksfrom fiat and scored sheets, the combination of a plurality of connectedbut spaced sheet conveying members each for conveying a single sheetthrough the machine, infolding mechanism arranged for turning upwardlyand then inwardly toward each other and then downwardly the ends of thebox blank to lie adjacent the body of the blank with their longitudinalfree edges substantially abutting, means overlying the box blank andpositioned beneath the infolded ends, comprising an approach abutmentand a guard, a rotatable wheel in juxta position to said guard, thelongitudinal edges of the infolded ends being arranged to pass uponopposite sides of the wheel in its rotation and in the movement oi'theblank,

and means for maintaining the spacing between the longitudinal edges ofthe infolded'ends in the continued travel of the blank, said maintainingmeans including a peripheral blade and a pair oi spaced end contactportions of endless char P acter.

26. In a folding machine for forming flat collapsed box blanks from flatand scored sheets, the combination of a plurality of connected butspaced sheet conveying members each for cornveying a single sheetthrough the'machine, iniolding mechanism arranged for turning upward= lyand then inwardly toward each other and then downwardly the ends of thebox blank to lie adjacent the body of the blank with their longitudinalfree edges substantially abutting, means overlying the box blank andpositioned beneath the infolded ends, comprising an approach abutmentand a guard, a rotatable wheel in juxta position to said guard, thelongitudinal edges of the infolded ends being arranged to pass uponopposite sides of the wheel in its rotation and in the movement of theblank, and means for maintaining the spacing between the longitudinaledges of the infolded ends in the continued travel of the blank, saidmaintaining means including a peripheral blade and a pair of spaced endcontact portions of endless character, said endless contacting portionsincluding endless belt means.

2'7. In a folding machine for forming flat col= lapsed box blanks fromfiat and scored sheets, the combination of a plurality of connected butspaced sheet conveying members each for conveying a single sheet throughthe machine, infolding,

mechanism arranged for turning upwardly and then inwardly toward eachother and then downwardly the ends of the box blank to lie adjacent thebody of the blank with their longitudinal free edges substantiallyabutting, means overlying the box blank and positioned beneath theinfolded ends, comprising an approach abutment and a guard, a rotatablewheel in juxta position to said guard, the longitudinal edges of theinfolded ends being arranged to pass upon opposite sides of the wheel inits rotation and in the movement of the blank, and means for maintainingthe spacing between the longitudinal edges of the infolded ends in thecontinued travel of the blank, said main taining means including aperipheral blade and a pair of spaced end contact portions of endlesscharacter, said wheel and said peripheral blade being positioned insubstantially the same plane and having their adjacent edges positionedin relatively close proximity to each other and a substantial triangularpartition interposed be= tween the peripheral blade and the wheel forthe purpose described.

28. In a folding machine for forming flat collapsed box blanks from fiatand scored sheets, the combination of a plurality of connected butspaced sheet conveying members each for conveying a 1w single sheetthrough the machine, infolding mechanism arranged for turning upwardlyand then inwardly toward each other and then downwardly the ends of thebox blank to lie adjacent the fibody of the blank with theirlongitudinal free edges substantially abutting, means overlying the boxblank and positioned beneath the infolded ends, comprising an approachabutment and a guard, a rotatable wheel in juxta position to said guard,the longitudinal edges of the infolded ends being arranged to pass uponopposite sides of the wheel in its rotation and in the movement of theblank, means for maintaining the spacing between the longitudinaledgesof the infolded ends in the continued travel of the blank, saidmaintaining means including a peripheral blade and a pair of spaced endcontact portions of endless character, said wheel and said peripheralblade being positioned in substantially the same plane and having theiradjacent edges positioned in relatively close proximity to each otherand a sub stantial triangularpartition interposed between the peripheralblade and the wheel for the purpose described, and a folding supportoperatively associated with the wheel and the peripheral bladepreventing transverse movement relative thereto and operativelyconnected to said partition-for foldingly supporting the same andin'aligmnent with said wheel and said blade.

29. In a folding machine for forming flat collapsed box blanks'from flatand scored sheets, the combination of a plurality of connected butspaced sheet conveying members each for conveying a single sheet throughthe machine, infolding mechanism arranged for turning upwardly and theninwardly toward each other and then downwardly the ends of the box blankto lie adjacent the body of theblank with their longitudinal free edgessubstantially abutting, means overlying the box blank and positionedbeneath the infolded ends, a rotatable wheel, the longitudinal edges ofthe infolded ends being arranged to pass upon opposite sides of thewheel in its rotation and in the movement of the blank, and means formaintaining the spacing between the longitudinal edges of the infoldedends in the continued travel of the blank, said maintaining meansincluding a peripheral blade and a pair of spaced end contact portionsof endless character.

30. In a folding machine for forming flat collapsed box blanks from fiatand scored sheets, the combination of a plurality of connected butspaced sheet conveying members each for conveying a single sheet throughthe machine, infolding mechanism arranged for turning upwardly and theninwardly toward each other and then downwardly the ends of the box blankto lie adjacent the body of the blank with their longitudinal free edgessubstantially abutting, means overlying the box blank and positionedbeneath the infolded ends, a rotatable wheel, the longitudinal edges ofthe infolded ends being arranged to'pass upon opposite sides of thewheel in its rotation and in the movement of the blank, and means formaintaining the spacing between the longitudinal edges of the infoldedends in the continued travelof the blank, said maintaining meansincluding a peripheral bladeand a pair of spaced end contact portions ofendless character, said endless contacting portions including endlessbelt means.

31. In a folding machine for forming flat collapsed box blanks from flatand scored sheets,

the combination of a plurality of connected but spaced sheet conveyingmembers each for conveying a single sheet through the machine, infoldingmechanism arranged for turning up wardly and then inwardly toward eachother and then downwardly the ends of the box blank' to lie adjacent thebody of the blank with their longitudinal free edges -substantiallyabutting, means overlying the box blank and positioned beneath theinfolded ends, a rotatable wheel, the,

longitudinal edges of the infolded ends being arranged to pass uponopposite sides of the wheelin its rotation and in the movement of theblank, and means for maintaining the spacing between the longitudinaledges of the infolded ends in the continued travel of the blank, saidmaintaining means including a peripheral blade and a pair of spaced endcontact portions of endless character, said wheel and said peripheralblade being positioned in substantially the same plane and having theiradjacent edges positioned in relatively close proximity to each otherand a substantial triangular partition interposed between the peripheralblade and the wheel for the purpose described.

32. In a folding machine for forming flat collapsed box blanks from flatand scored sheets, the combination of a plurality of connected butspaced sheet conveying members each for conveying a single sheet throughthe machine, in-

folding mechanism arranged for turning upwardly and then inwardly towardeach other and then downwardly the ends of the box blank to lie adjacentthe body of the blank with their longitudinal free edges substantiallyabutting,

endless character, said wheel and said peripheral blade being positionedin substantially the same plane and having their adjacent edges p0-sitioned in relatively close proximity to each other and a substantialtriangular partition interposed between the peripheral blade and thewheel for the purpose described, and a folding support operativelyassociated with the wheel andthe peripheral blade preventing transversemovement relative thereto and operatively connected to said partitionfor fioatingly supporting the same and in alignment with said wheel andsaid blade.

' 33. In a folding machine for forming fiat collapsed box blanks fromfiat scored sheets and arranged in tubular relation, the combination ofmeans for conveying a single sheet through the machine, means forinfolding the box blank ends so as to lie adjacent the main body of theblank and with the initially remote edges of the ends approximatelyparallel to the line of travel of the sheet, a rotating wheel positionedin align ment with the aforesaid edges and arranged to pass between thesame when infolded and in the travel of the sheet, and means carried by

